From A Watchman To Playing For Indian Cricket Team

The agitation in the state of Jammu & Kashmir turns it into a rebellious land where humanity and approach to peace by the ordinary is always questioned. With signs in the state that direct our thoughts to something that is disturbing here we have someone who has given a reason for the state to be known for the good.

A journey that talks about hard-work

From dreaming to hit large sixes on the field to now actually sharing the dressing room with the legends of cricket, Manzoor Dar has lived his dream. Manzoor who hails from the state of Jammu & Kashmir is all set to make his debut in the IPL 2018. A person who worked as a watchman is now set to blaze the field sharing it with players like Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle.

The 24-year-old lad from Bandipora district, Jammu & Kashmir is the only Kashmiri player selected for the IPL 2018.

A rambling journey from being a security guard, a carpenter, a weightlifter, a kabaddi player and now a cricketer. Manzoor Dar was selected by the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for Rs 20 Lakh, him turning out to be the second ever player from Kashmir to be a part of the league.

Manzoor is now preparing for the state team trials for the Vijay Hazare Trophy coming this month. The entire state was enthralled by the news of Manzoor’s attainment. "I spoke to my mother a short while ago. She told me some 30,000 people came to my house to congratulate. It is really moving to receive such love," said Manzoor.

Cricket was never a long-term career option

While working as a night security guard from 2008-2012 he had also enrolled himself in a cricket club. Where empty pockets did not make way for some shoes and cricket gear his hard work and dreams made him achieve his triumph. He thought of cricket as a long-term career option in 2011 and landed up giving the state trials. Manzoor was called by Rajasthan Royals for the trails which made him more confident about his chances to get selected at the IPL this year but KXIP opened doors for him.

"I am really thankful to God for this opportunity, also KXIP and Preity (Zinta) ma'am. My life has been full of struggle and when I finally found a team (at auction), I thought about the time I used to earn Rs 60 in the village as a daily labourer," as quoted by a website. He idolises Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni when it comes to cricket and is also excited to share some dressing room cricket talks with Yuvraj Singh.

Lastly, this normal guy from Kashmir also aims at giving a better life to his family from the money he has received. For which he says, “I have been building the house back home for the past three years. It still doesn't have doors and windows but hopefully, I would be able to get the work done now. I will also use the money for the treatment of my ailing mother.”